Lath



Patented May 9, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LATE Application filed November 11, 1929. Serial No. 406,216.

This invention relates to lath and especially to non-combustible lath such as metal for walls, and for use by plasterers as a base for plaster, and it aims particularly to provide an improved lath having the novel features and- 5 which may be termed an inside corner piece;

and

Fig. 4, an end view thereof as applied to such a corner.

Metal lath in the form known as wire lath,

a flexible wire product in sheet form is well known as a substitute for wood lath in fire proof or slow burning building construction. It has, however, certain unsatisfactory qualities, such as instability under certain conditions, and inconvenience in use, which will be pointed out, and which my invention overcomes.

My novel lath,Figs. 1, 2, comprises a piece of suitable metal or other usable material 1, of convenient length, width and thickness, perforated or provided with plaster anchoring apertures 2 of any shape and proper size. These strips are secured to the studding or other suitable supports 3, as by nails 4, through small apertures 5 proper distances apart.

The lath is preferably corrugated or channeled, or otherwise provided with an irregular face as at 6, leaving a wing portion 7 at each side. Through the apertures 2 the plaster is forced by the trowel of the plasterer as it is applied, and as it hardens it becomes firmly locked to the lath.

In Figs. 3, 4., I have shown a metal lath fashioned for use in corners and sometimes termed an inside corner piece, and comprising a wider lath body of the type shown in Fig. 1, and bent to form two (ngular or diverging wing portions 7 perforated at 2 as before, and offset at 8 to permit the plaster to enter through the apertures 2 and spread generally back of the wings 7 and anchor itself therein. The wings 7 are provided with apertures 5 for the nails or other locking members as described. a i

The flat lathl can conveniently and advantageously'be used anywhere in place of wood or woven wire lath as less expensive, more quicklyapplied, more stable and firm, and also for adding stability to the studding. The ,corner strips of Figs. 3, 4, are much superior to the woven wire lath as generally used in such places.

When the plaster is applied to plasterboard as is sometimes done, it is an advantage to use 35 my metal lath to cover the joints, both because it acts at such time as a breaker strip and also provides a firmer anchorage at such points for the plaster anchored elsewhere only to the board surface. In using woven 7 wire lath in corners, it is generally cut into narrow strips bent so far as possible at substantially right angles and secured to the studding or tile walls. The strips are so fiexible, when narrow, that they are difficult to handle and they ofl'er an unstable support for plaster.

When the mason is applying the plaster he frequently stretches the narrow strip of wire lath out of shape or runs his trowel through it, and thus loses the straight corner line which is desirable. Furthermore, if the wall at one side of the corner line settles, the flexible wire lath secured to it will go with it, and the plaster will be cracked in the corner. Frequently the wire lath will not lie fiat on its support and will thus interfere with the application of the proper amount of plaster. Y

With the use of my metal lath all these troubles are eliminated, the lath being so firm that the straight corner line is preserved, the openings 3 about the nails permitting slight settling of one wall relative to the other with no cracking of the plaster, and the lath lies fiat on its support. I

This form of lath is of course equally serviceable along horizontal corner lines between the wall and ceiling. o

My novel form of lath is cheaper to make, 106

to 1ship and to install, and makes a firmer wa 1.

My invention is not restricted to the precise embodiment thereof described and illustrated.

I claim:

1. A lath comprising a strip of non-expanded sheet material offset outwardly through the central area to substantially an equal extent to form a shallow, plaster-receiving channel, leaving a narrow edge section to lie fiat against the lath support, the strip having apertures to admit locking sections of the plaster to the channel and aper -i tures for strip securing members.

2. A lath comprising a strip of non-expanded sheet material ofiset outwardly through the central area to substantially an equal extent, leaving a narrow edge section to lie flat against its support, the strip bent longitudinally to form two wings, each having apertures to receive the plaster and strip securlng members. 'In testimony whereof, I have signed my 4 name to this specification.

CHESTER M. MOORE. 

